The Extras star made the cameo as a gag, which is expected to turn up on a DVD release.
But his writing colleague Stephen Merchant also filmed a scene – and his moment will make it to air.
Gervais taped a joke skit in which White House top brass discussed an impending terrorist threat.
Dressed as presidential advisor, he keeps whispering that a crucial mission should be assigned to spy Jack Bauer. He then acts incredulous when a colleague says his suggestion out loud and takes the credit.
24 executive producer Jon Cassar told the New York Post: ‘Ricky was just too recognisable to put in the show.’
‘But Stephen actually walks up to someone at CTU [Counter Terrorist Unit] and hands them a piece of paper.’
Cassar added that he hopes Gervais will agree to let the scene he filmed be included as a DVD extra.
Merchant’s scene will be seen in the debut episode of series six, which will air in the US in January.
Eddie Izzard was also lined up for a role in the new series, but left the show after just one day of filming.
